Written by: Jelisa Valdez, Denmark Rey Velasco, and Dannieca Buyayo | Photographed by: Jelisa Valdez and Dannieca Buyayo
UB-SCJPS students empower BCEFAG scholars through a values-driven leadership seminar promoting integrity, service, and community engagement.
CDRRMO, BAGUIO CITY — The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) organized a leadership seminar exclusively for members of the Baguio College Education and Financial Assistance Grant (BCEFAG) under the theme “Building Ethical Leaders for Tomorrow.” Held at the CDRRMO Lower Rock Quarry, Baguio City, the event aimed to nurture leadership potential among student scholars and enhance their capacity to lead with integrity, innovation, and social responsibility.
The seminar featured student leaders from the School of Criminal Justice and Public Safety (SCJPS), led by Jelisa T. Valdez, Student Body Governor, together with Denmark Rey C. Velasco, Vice Governor for Internal Affairs, and Dannieca Buyayo, SCJPS Senate Representative. The program consisted of three interactive sessions that focused on ethical and transformative leadership, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
The first session, led by SCJPS Student Legislative Council Representative Dannieca Buyayo, titled “Reshaping One’s Future Through Student Leadership,” embodied the principles of SDG 4; which calls for inclusive and equitable quality education that promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all. Buyayo highlighted the transformative power of student leadership as a form of experiential learning, where leadership training goes beyond classrooms and textbooks. By encouraging BCEFAG scholars to lead themselves first before leading others, the session promoted self-awareness, discipline, and goal-setting—skills that are foundational for both personal growth and civic engagement.
Her message that “leadership begins with purpose and vision” resonated deeply with the participants, reinforcing the idea that education must empower individuals not only intellectually but also morally and socially. This aligns with SDG 4 (Quality Education), which emphasizes the need for education that fosters sustainable development, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity—values that were at the core of her discussion.
Dannieca Buyayo, School of Criminal Justice and Public Safety – Student Body, Senator
The second session, presented by Vice Governor Denmark Rey Velasco, centered on the theme “The Role of Integrity in Leadership.” His lecture reflected SDG 16, which promotes peaceful and inclusive societies through justice, accountability, and strong institutions. Velasco emphasized that genuine leadership transcends position and authority—it is measured by moral courage, ethical judgment, and integrity.
By drawing from real-world examples, including the leadership legacy of Nelson Mandela, Velasco connected the session to the global pursuit of justice and peace. He reminded participants that ethical leadership is the foundation of trustworthy institutions, whether in governance, education, or community service. The talk encouraged BCEFAG scholars to uphold transparency, fairness, and honesty in their academic and future professional endeavors—qualities essential in sustaining strong and peaceful communities.
This directly supports SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), which seeks to develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions, which promotes responsive, inclusive, and participatory decision-making at all levels. Through the seminar, young leaders were guided to view themselves as future stewards of peace and justice in their respective fields.
Concluding the seminar, Governor Jelisa T. Valdez discussed “The Power of Priorities in Leadership,” focusing on the importance of teamwork, organization, and collaboration—values central to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Drawing from her leadership experience in the SCJPS Student Body, Valdez shared real examples of how prioritizing shared goals and fostering unity within organizations can amplify impact and sustain progress.
Her message underscored that effective leadership does not work in isolation. Instead, it thrives on cooperation and partnership, much like the collaborative effort between CSWDO, BCEFAG, and the SCJPS Student Body in mounting this seminar. This initiative illustrated Target 17.17, which encourages multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, and resources to achieve sustainable development goals.
Through their joint efforts, both the local government and the academic sector demonstrated how cross-sector collaboration can empower the youth to become ethical, innovative, and socially responsible leaders—capable of advancing the same principles in their future institutions and communities.
The leadership seminar ultimately showcased the synergy between education, governance, and student leadership in achieving global and local development goals. By connecting leadership formation with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the program did more than develop skills—it built a framework for ethical citizenship and responsible action.
Through the initiative, CSWDO and BCEFAG, in partnership with SCJPS Student Body, reaffirmed their commitment to empowering the youth as catalysts for peace, justice, and sustainable growth. The seminar stood as a living example of how academic institutions and public agencies can work hand-in-hand in nurturing a generation of ethical, capable, and community-centered leaders—leaders who will not only build strong institutions but also shape a more just and inclusive society.
